Glow transfer trigger-switch



Dec. 8, 1953 A. L. SAMUEL GLOW TRANSFER TRIGGER-SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 16, 1952 OUTPUT VOLTAGE llf + VOLTAGE LINPUT TPZ FIG. 2

INPU'I Q E INVENTOR ARTHUR L. SAMUEL ATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1953 A. SAMUEL 2,662,200

GLOW TRANSFER TRIGGER-SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 16, 1952 OUTPUT IOT-I lOT-Z TOT-3 IOT-4 TERMINAL IOTI I I I I I I I OUTPUT ll-E: l4T-6 -:4T,-7 I4T-8 I4T-9 l4T-I0 TERMINAL |4T i FIG. i0

OUTPUT TERMINAL I3T-4 l3T-5 lT-6 l7 IT-8 EST-9 I3-IO lNVE OR ARTHUR L. SAMUEL ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 8, 1953 UNITED STATES OFFlE GLOW TRANSFER TRIGGER-SWITCH York Application A ril 16, 1952, Serial No. 282,658 10 Claims (01. 315-169) This invention relates to gaseous discharge tubes and more particularly to a novel gaseous discharge trigger switch of the glow transfer type.

The application of Richard K. Steinberg, Serial No. 192,199, filed October 26, 1950, and entitled Glow Transfer Storage Device describes a gaseous discharge tube of the glow transfer type wherein a single glow discharge is transferred from one cathode to another within the tube via glow transfer wires. Each glow transfer wire is physically attached to the cathode to which it is to transfer the glow discharge and has its other end extending into space between the anode common to all the cathodes and the cathode from which it is to transfer the glow discharge. lhe actual transfer of the glow discharge is effected by the preselected application of pulses to the cathodes which application is fully described therein. The cathode structure and principle of glow transfer described therein are equally applicable to this invention.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a gaseous discharge tube of the glow transfer type responsive to two inputs to produce two outputs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gaseous discharge tube of the glow transfer type having one group of electrodes operative as a trigger circuit to produce a single output in response to a dual input and having other groups of switching electrodes arranged in glow transfer relation to the first group to produce a single output for each input applied to the tube.

Another object is to provide a gaseous tube of the glow transfer type which will provide an output at one output terminal which is a true representation of an input and an output at another output terminal which represents either the nines or tens complement of an input.

Still another object is to provide a gaseous discharge tube of the glow transfer type wherein two input and two output terminals are provided, input pulses to be counted are applied at one input terminal and pulses are applied to the other input terminal to provide an output at either of the output terminals.

A further object is to provide a gaseous discharge tube of the glow transfer type having first and second input terminals wherein the relative time occurrence and duration of the input pulses applied to the input terminals controls the number of output pulses appearing at the output terminals.

still further object is to provide a gaseous discharge tube of the glow transfer type having two input terminals and at least one output terminal wherein output producing pulses are applied to one input terminal and output control pulses are applied to the other input terminal, the relative duration of output control and output producing pulses occurring simultaneously determining whether none, one or a plurality of output pulses will be produced during that time interval.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of examples, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings: i

Fig. l is a diagrammatic showing of one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1a shows the wave forms produced by the operation of the structure shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic showing another embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 2a shows the wave forms produced by the operation of the structure shown in Fig. 2.

Briefly, the invention comprises a gaseous discharge tube of the glow transfer type having a plurality of cathodes formed as open-ended cylinders and arranged in a preselected glow transfer relation by the employment of glow transfer wires. A single common anode is spaced equidistant from each of the cathodes. Only a single glow discharge exists within the tube at any one time and this glow discharge is transferred from one cathode to another in accordance with the input applied to the tube.

In one embodiment of the invention four cathodes are arranged in a closed glow transfer path and provide for glow transfer in one direction therearound. Two opposite or non-consecutive cathodes are each connected in glow transfer relation .with another cathode glow transfer being provided for in either direction between these cathodes. If a pulse is applied to a cathode in the closed glow transfer path it may effect a transfer of the glow discharge from the cathode where it exists to the opposite cathode. Hence, two pulses will transfer the glow discharge around the closed glow transfer path one time. It is seen, therefore, that these four cathodes function as a trigger. If a glow discharge exists at one of the oathodes connected in glow transfer relation with another cathode not part of the trigger, then a single pulse may effect a transfer of the glow discharge from one cathode to the other-and bacl: again. It is seen, therefore, that these two cathodes function as a switch, one of the oathodes also being part of the trigger. Output producing pulses are applied to an input terminal commonly connected to opposite cathodes of the trigger or to the other two switch cathodes. Output control pulses are applied to a second input terminal commonly connected to the other two cathodes of the trigger. An output is taken from each of the two switch cathodes not connected to an input terminal. The relative duration and time relationship of an output producing pulse tov an output control pulse is employed to determine whether an output pulse will or will not result and if so at which output terminal it will appear and if two output pulses are produced one may be made to appear at each output terminal. Hence, the total number of output pulses appearing at one output terminal can be controlledto equal the number of output producing pulses applied to an input terminal or may be made to equal the nines or tens complement of the number of output pulses appearing at the other output terminal. Also the total number of output pulses can equal the number of input producing pulses plus an additional number dependent upon the number and type of control pulses employed.

Referring more particularly to Fig. l the gaseous tube trigger switch includes six hollow cathodes formed as open-ended cylinders and designated II), II, I2, I3, I4- and I 5 respectively. The cathodes may be of the type described in the application above referred to. As described in that application, each cathode is equidistant from a common anode designated I6 herein and connected through an appropriate resistor I! to a terminal I8 to which a suitable positive voltage is applied. Cathodes IE, II, I3 and I4 are each connected through a suitable resistor to ground, while cathodes I2 and I5 are each connected through a suitable resistor to a voltage" positive with respect to ground but less positive than the voltage applied to' terminal I8. The entire electrode structure is included in any suitable. gaseous atmosphere. Output terminals IIIT and I 4T are connected to the cathodes III and I4 respectively. Input terminal TPI is connected to the cathodes I2 and I5 and input terminal TPZ is connected to the cathodes II and I3'.

At any given time only a single glow discharge exists within the envelope of the gaseous tube. When input pulses are applied to the input terminals TPI' and TPZ' a certain transfer of the existing glow discharge is effected. To effect this transfer certain glow transfer wires designated Ills, IIs, IIt, I215; I315, I3s, I4s and I5t are provided as shown. Each such wire has one free end extending intermediate a cathode and the anode I6 and its other end physically connected to another cathode. When a glow discharge exists between a cathode and the anode and a greater voltage difference is caused to exist between the anode and. another cathode having a transfer wire attached thereto and extending intermediate the cathode to which the glow discharge exists and the anode than the voltage difference between the anode and the'cathode to which the glow discharge exists, then that glow discharge will move along the glow transfer wire to exist in stable equilibrium between the cathode to which that wire is physically attached and the anode.

The operation of the novel gaseous trigger switch of the invention will be explained-by conjoint reference to Figs. 1 and 1a; The pulses-designated PI and P2 respectively in Fig. 1a are applied to input terminals 'IPI and- TP2 respectively shown in Fig. 1. These pulses may be obtained from any suitable or conventional source and the provision of such a source does not con stitute a part of this invention.

In the initial or starting condition it is assumed that a glow discharge exists between the cathode I3 and the anode I6. The first pulse of PI goes negative and the voltage difference between the anode I6 and the cathodes I2 and I5 is. correspondingly increased. The transfer wire I5t is in the path of the glow discharge existing to the cathode I3 and the glow discharge therefore movesalongthe wire [51. to exist between the cathode I5 and the anode I6 so long as the first. pulse of PI remains negative.

Next, the first pulse of PI goes positive. This causes the voltage difference between the cathode II and the anode I6 to be greater than that between the cathode I5 and the anode It. Accordingly, the glow discharge is transferred along the transfer wire I It to exist in stable equilibrium between the cathode II and the anode IG.

Next, P2 goes positive as indicated by pulse IA to decrease the voltage difference between the cathode I I to which the glow discharge exists and the anode. The glow discharge is therefore transferred along the transfer wire IOs to the cathode I0, since cathode I0 is at a lower potential than cathode I2. Hence, conduction to the cathode I 0 causes the voltage thereat' to increase as indicated by pulse IfiT--I. When pulse IA goes negative the voltage difference between cathode II and the anode is greater than that between cathode I0 and the anode and the glow discharge is transferred along" the transfer wire I Is to exist between the anode and the cathode II. The voltage at the output terminal IBT then decreases as indicated by pulse IOT-I.

This operation will continue so long as a PI pulse does not occur. Hence, application of the pulses 2A, 3A and 4A to the terminal TPZ causes the pulses I-OT'2, I'0T-3 and IBT-d respectively to apear at the output terminal IOT. It is seen that P2 might go negative and glow transfer still not be effected.

If P2 ispositive, i. e. an A pulse exists, then the glow discharge exists between the cathode Iiland the anode I6; Glow transfer to' the oathode I2 can occur only'if a glow discharge is presexit at the cathode II immediately prior to the attempted transfer to the cathode I2 It follows, therefore, that to effect such glow transfer PI and P2 must be negative simultaneously. When such is the case the glow discharge transfers from the cathode II along glow transfer wire lit to the cathode I2 and then when PI goes positive the glow discharge transfers from the cathode I2 along the glow transfer wire I3t to the cathode I3.

Assume that the second negative PI pulse is as indicated by the dotted lines. The glow discharge then exists between the cathode II and the anode IB becau'se the pulse 4A of P2 has just gone" negative. The second pulse of PI now goes negative'and-ca'uses' the glow discharge to transfer along transfer wire IZ't to the cathode I2. This pulse then goes positive (during occurrence of 4B) and the glow discharge is transferred along the wire I3t to the cathode I3.

Next, 5A goes positive and the voltage difference between the cathode I3 and the anode I6 becomes less than that between the anode I6 and the cathode I4. Accordingly, the glow discharge is transferred along the transfer wire MS to the cathode IA. The voltage at the cathode I 4 is then increased and the positive going portion of pulse HiC5 appears at terminal MT. When the pulse 5A goes negative the voltage difference between cathode I3 and the anode It becomes greater than that between the cathode I4 and the anode it. The glow discharge is then transferred along the transfer wire I3s to the cathode I3. The subsequent pulses 6A, IA, 8A, 9A and IGA cause a similar transfer of the glow discharge between the cathodes i3 and It. At the end of the pulse lilA the glow discharge exists between the oathode I3 and the anode I6 as it was prior to the application of the first PI pulse to the terminal TPI.

It should be noted that four pulses or a true indication appears at the output'terminal IBT and six pulses or the tens complement of the output at IfiT appears at the output terminal I 4T. Hence, by applying a single negative PI pulse (the second as shown by the dotted lines) to the terminal 'IPI while the terminal TF2 is negative the subsequent output at the terminal It? is caused to represent the tens complement of the output from the terminal IfiT.

Assume that the second negative Pl pulse is as indicated by the solid lines. Just prior to the occurrence of this pulse the glow discharge exists between the cathode i! and the anode it as indicated by the existence of pulse lB. When PI goes negative the voltage diiference between the cathode l2 and the anode it becomes greater than that between the cathode l I and the anode It and the glow discharge is transferred along the transfer wire I2t to the cathode I2. Next, the pulse 5A goes positive and there is no transfer of the glow discharge since the voltage difference between the cathode l2 and the anode it remains greater than that between the cathode i3 and the anode I8. Pulse 5A then goes negative and again there is no transfer of the glow discharge because the voltage difference between the cathode i2 and anode It remains greater than that between the cathode I3 and the anode It. The second pulse of P! then oes positive and the voltage difference between the cathode I 3 and anode I6 becomes greater than that between the cathode l2 and the anode it. As a result the glow discharge is transferred along the transfer wire Fit to the cathode Finally, pulse 6A goes positive and the voltage difference between the cathode Hi the anode it becomes greater than that between the cathode 3 and anode 18. The glow discharge is then transferred via transfer wire His to the cathode M which exhibits an increased voltage as indicated by the positive going edge of pulse I lC5. When the pulse 5A goes negative the voltage difierence between the cathode i3 and the anode i5 is greater than that between the cathode it and anode It and the glow discharge is transferred along the transfer wire Its to the cathode is and the pulse MC-B been provided at the output terminal MT. Pulses 5A, 53A, QA and IdA respectively cause a similar glow transfer to provide the corresponding pulses MiG- l, MCI-8, ItC-Q and I4Clfi at the output terminal It.

It should be noted that the output pulses appearing at the output to determine I t? (pulses MiG-5 to i iC -lii inclusive) represent the nines complement of the output pulses appearing at the output terminal I M. Hence, by causing the second negative PI pulse to span the time occurrence of one positive P2 pulse only the PI pulse will effect glow transfer.

The tube structure shown in Fig. 2 is similar 6 to that shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2 the PI pulses are again applied to the cathodes l2 and I5. However, outputs are taken from the output terminals I IT and I3T connected to the cathodes I I and I3 respectively and the P2 pulses are applied to the cathodes In and I l.

Again, as in Fig. 1 at starting the glow discharge is assumed to exist between the cathode l3 and the anode I6.

When the first PI pulse applied to the terminal TPI goes negative it causes the voltage difference between the cathode I5 and the anode I 5 to exceed that between the cathode I3 and anode I- and the glow discharge is transferred over the glow transfer wire ifit to the cathode I5. When this pulse goes positive the voltage difference between the cathode Ii and the anode exceeds that between the cathode I5 and the anode and the glow discharge is transferred via transfer wire III? to the cathode H. The voltage at the cathode I I then rises as indicated by positive going edge of the pulse I IT-i. As the glow discharge was transferred from the cathode IS the voltage at terminal I31 decreased indicated.

Each subsequent P2 pulse causes the glow discharge to be transferred from the cathode II to the cathode I0 and back again to the cathode II. The negative going edge of the PI pulse trans- .fers the glow discharge from the cathode I! to the cathode It and the positive going edge transfers it from the cathode IO to the cathode II.

A second negative PI pulse is applied during the occurrence of the 3A pulse. When this negative pulse is applied the glow discharge is at the cathode I and is caused to be transferred via the glow transfer wire lit to the cathode I2. Immediately, the voltage of the output terminal I It decreases as indicated by the pulse lIT-- i.

Next, the second PI pulse goes positive and the glow discharge is transferred to the cathode I3. The voltage at the cathode I3 is increased as shown by the positive going edge of the pulse ItT- i. Finally, the pulse 3A goes negative and causes the glow discharge to transfer from the cathode I 3 to the cathode Id. The voltage at the cathode I3 then decreases as indicated by the negative going edge of the pulse i3T- appearing at the output terminal IST. Subsequently, each time P2 goes negative the glow discharge is transferred from the cathode is to the cathode I4 and each time it goes positive it is transferred from the cathode I4 to the cathode I 3. This operation is continued until another negative PI pulse is applied.

It is seen that for ten P2 input pulses that twelve output pulses were produced at the output terminals I IT and IST. This increased pulse output is accomplished in Fig, 2 when a PI pulse is applied during an occurrence of an A or positive pulse while in Fig. l the application of such a pulse during the occurrence of a B or negative pulse causes a number of output pulses to be pro duced identical in number to the number of input pulses.

It is readily seen from Fig. 2 that the application of additional similar PI pulses during the occurrence of an A pulse will effect a further addition in the number of output pulses, each such pulse causing one additional output pulse to be produced.

From the above description, it is seen that in both Figs. 1 and 2 the cathodes II, I2, is and I5 are operable as a trigger circuit 0t complete a cycle of operation in response to each two input pulses and that the cathodes it and II each collectively serve as a switch to produce an output pulse in response to each input pulse applied thereto. Hence, if the cathodes l and h. are omitted, the remaining cathodes H, [2, l3 and 15 are operable as atrigger circuit to produce one output pulse in response to each single input pulse applied to the terminal TPI. This output pulse may be derived from any one of the cathodes.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment, it will'be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A gaseous discharge tube of he glow transfer type including a trigger sect-ion comprising first, second, third and fourth cathodes arranged in a closed glow transfer path to effect glow transfer therealeng in cnly one direction; a fifth cathode arranged in glow transfer relation to said first cathode to form a first switch section so that a glow discharge is transferable from said first cathode to said fifth cathode and vice versa; a sixth cathode arranged in glow transfer relation tosaid third cathode to form a second switch section so that a glow discharge is transferable from said first cathode to said sixth cathode and vice versa; an anode common to each of saidcathodes; a first common input connection to said second and fourth cathodes to effect glow transfer around said path in response to each two pulses applied to said connection; a second commoninput connection to said fast and second switch sections to effect glow transfer from said one cathode thereof to the other cathode and back again in response to the application ofeach pulse applied over said second common connection, said glow transfer always being effected in oneswitch section as determined by the position of the glow discharge just prior to the application of the pulse; and an output connection from each switch section to convey an output therefrom.

2. A gaseous discharge tube of the glow transfer type including a plurality of cathodes coupled in glow transfer relation to form a closed glow transfer path; first means connected to apply a predetermined number of successive pulses to said cathodes to cause said glow discharge to traverse said path in one direction in a step-bystep fashion; cathode switch means each including an additional cathode arranged in glowtransfer relation to a selected one of said plurality of cathodes; and pulse input means connected to apply a pulse to said switch means to transfer a glow discharge from said selected one of said plurality of cathodes to said additional cathode and back again.

3. The gaseous discharge tube set forth in claim 2 wherein four cathodes form said closed glow transfer path and the first and third cathodes thereof are included in said switch means.

4. The gaseous discharge tube set forth in claim 3 wherein said first means is connected to said second and fourth cathodes and said pulse input means is commonly connected to said first and fourth cathodes; and an output connection is provided to each of said two additional cathodes.

5. The gaseous discharge tube set forth in claim 8 {wherein said firstmeans is connected to said seco'ndand fourth cathodesand said input means is commonly connected to said additional cathodes; and an output connection is provided to said first and third cathodes.

V 6. A trigger switch of the gaseous discharge glow transfer type wherein a group of six cathodes are employed to provide a single gaseous discharge tube having a trigger section provided with a closed glow transfer path and two switch sections provided with a closed glow transfer path; I glow transfer means intermediate successive ones of four of said cathodes to form said trigger section; and glow transfer means intermediate two difierent ones of said four cathodes and different onesof the two remaining cathodes to form two switch sections.

'7. A trigger switch' of the gaseous discharge glow transfer'type wherein a group of six cathodes are employed to'provide a single gaseous discharge tube having a trigger section provided with a closed glow transfer path and two switch sections provided with a closed glow transfer path; glow transfer means intermediate successive ones of four of said cathodes to form said trigger section; an anode common to each of said cathodes and voltage means for establishing a glow discharge between said anode and a preselected one of said cathodes; first pulse input means connected to said trigger section for applying pulses thereto to effect a transfer of said glow discharge along said closed glow transfer path in a step-by step fashion; second pulse input means connected to said switch sections for applying timed pulses thereto to effect preselected glow transfer to the cathodes thereof; an output connection to at least oneof said switch sections for supplying a number of pulses dependent upon the number of pulses applied from said first and second pulse input means and the relative duration and time occurrence of the pulses from said first and second means.

8. The invention set forth in claim 7 wherein an output connection is provided to each of the said switch sections so that the number of pulses supplied to each output is dependent upon the number of pulses applied to said switch section intermediate each pulse applied to said trigger section.

9. A trigger switch of the gaseous discharge glow transfer type wherein a group of six cathodes are employed to provide a single gaseous discharge tube having a trigger section provided with'a closed glow transfer path and two switch sections provided with a closed glow transfer path, glow transfer means intermediate successive ones of four of said cathodes to form said trigger section; an anode common to each of said cathodes and voltage means for establish-- ing a glow discharge between said anode and one of said cathodes common to the trigger section and a switch section; first input pulse means connected to said one cathode of said trigger section and the cathode one removed therefrom along said closed path to effect glow transfer from either of said cathodes to the other cathode of that switch section and back again in response to each pulse applied thereto; second pulse input means connected to the two remaining cathodes of said trigger section to advance said glow discharge from the cathode common to said trigger section and one switch section to the other cathode common to said trigger section and the other switch section in response to each pulse; output connections from each of said two remaining cathodes so that the combined output is equal to one less than the number of pulses applied from said first pulse means and the number of pulses supplied by each output connection is the nines complement of the number supplied to the other.

10. In a gaseous discharge tube of the glow transfer type; four glow transfer cathodes arranged to form a single closed glow transfer path and operable as a trigger circuit; a switch circuit comprising two cathodes, one common to said trigger circuit arranged to form a single closed glow transfer path; an anode common to said cathode; voltage means for establishing a glow discharge between only one of said cathodes and said anode; pulse means connected to apply discrete pulses to said trigger circuit and said switch; and output means connected to said switch to derive a preselected pulse output therefrom.

ARTHUR L. SAMUEL.

No references cited. 

